Chris Stratton

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Chris Stratton

|image = Chris Stratton First Pitch (Cropped) 1.jpg

|width =

|caption = Stratton pitching for the San Francisco Giants

|team =Los Angeles Dodgers

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|08|22}}

|birth_place = Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S.

|bats = Right

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = May 30

|debutyear = 2016

|debutteam = San Francisco Giants

|statyear = May 16, 2025

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 41–27

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 4.63

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 564

|stat4label = Saves

|stat4value = 16

|teams =

San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2018}})
Los Angeles Angels ({{mlby|2019}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2022}})
St. Louis Cardinals ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}})
Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2023}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2024}}–{{mlby|2025}})
Los Angeles Dodgers ({{mlby|2025}})

|awards=

World Series champion ({{wsy|2023}})

}}

Christopher Lee Stratton (born August 22, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He has previously played in MLB for the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals and the Los Angeles Dodgers

Early life

Christopher Lee Stratton was born on August 22, 1990, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Stratton graduated from Tupelo High School, in Tupelo, Mississippi.

College career

He then attended Mississippi State University from 2010 to 2012. In 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/player.html?playerid=142747&seasonid=3969 |title=#10 Chris Stratton |website=Pointstreak|access-date=September 25, 2019}} As a senior, he was a consensus All-American after going 11–2 with a 2.38 earned run average (ERA) and 127 strikeouts.{{cite web|url=http://www.hailstate.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=16800&ATCLID=205499843 |title=Chris Stratton: MSU's First Consensus All-American Since 1985 |website=Hail State|date=June 29, 2012 |access-date=March 19, 2014}} He was also the Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year.{{cite web|last1=Herndon|first1=Mike|url=http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-sports/2012/05/mississippi_states_chris_strat_2.html |title=Mississippi State's Chris Stratton named SEC pitcher of the year |website=Gulf Live|date=May 29, 2012 |access-date=March 19, 2014}} He also won the C Spire Ferriss Trophy as Mississippi's top collegiate baseball player.{{cite web|url=http://msfame.com/news-updates/c-spire-ferriss-trophy-through-the-years/ |title=C Spire Ferriss Trophy…through the years |website=MS Fame|access-date=November 25, 2016}}

Professional career

=San Francisco Giants=

==Minor leagues==

The San Francisco Giants selected Stratton in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|title=Giants sign first-round pick Chris Stratton|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/giants-sign-first-round-pick-chris-stratton/c-33195118|publisher=Mlb.mlb.com|date=June 12, 2012|access-date=May 26, 2025}} He was assigned to the Class–A Salem-Keizer Volcanoes to begin his professional career. In August of that year, he was hospitalized after a line drive struck him in the head during batting practice.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/2012-first-rounder-chris-stratton-hospitalized-after-being-hit-by-liner|title=2012 first-rounder Chris Stratton hospitalized after being hit by liner|date=August 22, 2012 |publisher=Hardballtalk.nbcsports.com|access-date=March 19, 2014}} A severe concussion from that event ended his season{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/chris-stratton-608717|title=Chris Stratton bio|work=mlb.com|accessdate=May 26, 2025}} after only eight appearances, where he had a 3.31 ERA.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=stratt000chr|title=Chris Stratton Amateur, College & Minor League Statistics|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=May 26, 2025}}

Before the 2013 season, Baseball America ranked Stratton as the Giants' third best prospect.{{cite web|last=Baggarly|first=Andy|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2019-san-francisco-giants/prospects/?season=2013|title=Baseball America Giants top 2013 prospects|publisher=Baseballamerica.com|date=January 30, 2013|access-date=March 19, 2014}} He played for the Augusta GreenJackets of the South Atlantic League, pitching to a 9–3 record, 3.27 ERA and striking out 123 in 22 starts and making the midseason all-star team. In 2014, he began the season with the San Jose Giants of the California League before being promoted to the Double–A Richmond Flying Squirrels on July 29. Between the two levels, he was 8–9 with a 4.78 ERA and 120 strikeouts in

24 games.

Stratton was a non-roster invitee to major league spring training in 2015 and after beginning the season with Richmond he was promoted to the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats. Between the two levels, he was 5–10 with a 3.95 ERA in 26 starts with 111 strikeouts. The Giants added him to their 40-man roster after the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-crick-steven-okert-on-giants-roster/c-157834670|title=Giants add eight pitchers to 40-man roster|first=Chris|last=Haft|website=MLB.com|date=November 20, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2015|archive-date=November 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121122301/http://m.giants.mlb.com/news/article/157834670/kyle-crick-steven-okert-on-giants-roster|url-status=dead}} In 2016 with Sacramento he made 17 starts with a 12–6 record and 4.08 ERA.

==Major leagues==

Stratton was called up from Sacramento to the major leagues on May 28, 2016, to replace the injured Matt Cain.{{cite web|title=Giants place right-hander Matt Cain, who had been placed on the 15-day disabled list|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/15793281/matt-cain-san-francisco-giants-placed-dl-hamstring-strain|website=ESPN.com|date=May 28, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2016}} Despite being primarily a starter in the minors, the Giants added him to their bullpen and he made his major league debut against the Atlanta Braves on May 30, pitching a scoreless bottom of the eighth inning and recording two strikeouts (his first being of Nick Markakis) while retiring all three batters he faced.{{cite web|last=Schulman|first=Henry|title=Giants' Chris Stratton impresses with scoreless inning in debut|url=http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Giants-Chris-Stratton-impresses-with-scoreless-7953360.php|website=ESPN.com|date=May 30, 2016|access-date=June 2, 2016}} On June 11, he was credited with his first major league win as he pitched the top of the 10th inning in the Giants victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{cite web|last=Chiarelli|first=Mark|title=Stratton hangs tough after HR, earns 1st win|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-stratton-gets-1st-major-league-win-c183594314|website=MLB.com|access-date=June 12, 2016}} On June 13 he was sent down again when Cain returned from the DL,{{cite news|last=Schulman|first=Henry|title=Giants add an infielder for depth, Cain's return, Braun rumors and lineup|url=http://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Giants-get-Cain-back-plus-thoughts-on-potential-8109865.php|newspaper=Sfgate|access-date=June 14, 2016}} but was recalled the following day when Cain was put back on the DL with a re-injured hamstring.{{cite web|title=Giants put Matt Cain back on DL with same hamstring suffered another hamstring strain|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/16214532/matt-cain-san-francisco-giants-returns-dl-hamstring-strain|website=ESPN.com|access-date=June 14, 2016}} Stratton pitched in seven games for the Giants with a 1–0 record and a 3.60 ERA.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=stratt000chr|title=Chris Stratton STatistics|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=May 26, 2025}}

In 2017, Stratton split his season between the Giants and the River Cats, making 15 starts in the minors with a 4–5 record and 5.11 ERA and 13 appearances (10 starts) for the Giants, with a 4–4 record and 3.84 ERA. His first major league start was on July 6 against the Detroit Tigers, allowing five runs in {{fraction|6|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=stratch01&t=p&year=2017|title=Chris Stratton 2017 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball Reference|accessdate=May 26, 2025}}

Stratton made the Giants opening day roster for the 2018 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/giants-set-2018-opening-day-roster-269971436|title=Giants set 2018 Opening Day roster|work=mlb.com|date=March 29, 2018|accessdate=May 26, 2025}} On September 14, he threw his first MLB complete game against the Colorado Rockies, winning by a score of 2–0. It was his 10th win of the season, making him the Giants’ first pitcher to reach double-digit victories since 2016. It was also the first complete game of the season for the Giants, and the first shutout for the team in over a year.{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/giants/article/Chris-Stratton-s-complete-game-beats-Rockies-as-13231617.php|title=Chris Stratton's complete game beats Rockies; Giants end losing streak|first=Steve|last=Kroner|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=September 14, 2018}} Stratton finished the 2018 season with a 10–10 record, 5.09 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 145 innings over 28 appearances (26 starts).

=Los Angeles Angels=

On March 26, 2019, Stratton was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Williams Jerez.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/chris-stratton-traded-giants-angels-reliever-williams-jerez|title=Chris Stratton traded by Giants to Angels for reliever Williams Jerez|work=NBC Sports Bay Area|last=Pavlovic |first=Alex|date=March 26, 2019|access-date=May 11, 2019}} In seven appearances (five starts) for Los Angeles, he struggled to an 0-2 record and 8.59 ERA with 22 strikeouts across {{fraction|29|1|3}} innings pitched. He was designated for assignment on May 7.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/angels-chris-stratton-removed-from-roster/|title=Angels' Chris Stratton: Removed from roster|work=CBS Sports|author=RotoWire Staff|date=May 7, 2019|access-date=May 11, 2019}}

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On May 11, 2019, the Angels traded Stratton to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite web|url=https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2019/05/11/pirates-trade-for-stratton/|title=Pirates Acquire Right-Handed Pitcher Chris Stratton From Angels|work=CBS Pittsburgh|date=May 11, 2019|access-date=May 11, 2019}} In {{frac|46|2|3}} innings with the Pirates, Stratton pitched a 3.66 ERA with a 9.1 K/9 rate and 1.39 WHIP.{{Cite web|url=https://rumbunter.com/2020/09/21/pittsburgh-pirates-chris-stratton-future/|title=Pittsburgh Pirates: Chris Stratton's Place in the Future of the Bullpen|first=Stephen Strosko 7 months|last=ago|date=September 21, 2020}} In 2020, Stratton recorded a 3.90 ERA with 39 strikeouts and a career-high 11.9 K/9 rate in 30 innings of work.{{Cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2021/03/19/pirates-chris-stratton-derek-shelton-bullpen-bednar-de-jong-shreve-crowe/stories/202103190146|title=Amid bullpen turnover, Pirates' Chris Stratton attempts to expand on last season|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette}} In 2021, Stratton led the Pirates with seven wins and recorded a 3.63 ERA with 86 strikeouts over {{frac|79|1|3}} innings.

=St. Louis Cardinals=

On August 1, 2022, the Pirates traded Stratton and José Quintana to the St. Louis Cardinals for Malcom Núñez and Johan Oviedo.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jose-quintana-cardinals-trade|first=John|last=Denton|title=Cards add SP depth with deal for Quintana|website=MLB.com}} Stratton recorded 60 strikeouts with an 8.5 K/9 and a 4.26 ERA in his 2022 season, and went 5–0 with the Cardinals after recording a 5–4 record with the Pirates.

=Texas Rangers=

On July 30, 2023, the Cardinals traded Stratton and Jordan Montgomery to the Texas Rangers in exchange for John King, Tekoah Roby, and Thomas Saggese.{{cite news |last1=Passan |first1=Jeff |title=Rangers trade for Cardinals' Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38102567/sources-rangers-trade-jordan-montgomery-chris-stratton |access-date=July 31, 2023 |work=ESPN.com |date=July 30, 2023}} In 22 appearances for Texas, Stratton recorded a 3.41 ERA with 22 strikeouts over 29 innings of work. He also pitched in the postseason for the first time in his career, allowing two runs on two hits

in {{fraction|2|2|3}} innings in the 2023 American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros and two runs on two hits in {{fraction|1|1|3}} innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series. The Rangers won the World Series, and Stratton got his first championship ring.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rangers-win-world-series-2023|title=Rangers claim 1st World Series title, 52 years in the making|work=mlb.com|first=Anthony|last=Castrovince|date=November 1, 2023|accessdate=May 26, 2025}}

=Kansas City Royals=

On December 15, 2023, Stratton signed a one-year, major league contract with the Kansas City Royals.{{cite web | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/chris-stratton-signs-one-year-deal-with-royals | title=Royals continue busy offseason, sign Stratton to one-year deal | website=MLB.com }} He made 57 appearances out of the bullpen in 2024, compiling a 4-3 record and 5.55 ERA with 44 strikeouts and four saves across {{fraction|58|1|3}} innings pitched. On October 31, 2024, Stratton exercised a player option for 2025 with the Royals.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/hunter-renfroe-chris-stratton-exercise-player-options.html|title=Hunter Renfroe, Chris Stratton Exercise Player Options|date=October 31, 2024|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}

Stratton made 12 appearances for the Royals in 2025, and struggled to a 7.94 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 17 innings pitched. On May 18, 2025, he was designated for assignment by Kansas City{{Cite web|title=Royals Designate Chris Stratton For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/royals-designate-chris-stratton-for-assignment.html|access-date=May 18, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} and was released on May 22.{{Cite web|title=Chris Stratton: Released by Royals|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/chris-stratton-released-by-royals/|access-date=May 23, 2025|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

=Los Angeles Dodgers=

On May 25, 2025, Stratton signed a major league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{Cite web|title=Dodgers Sign Chris Stratton|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/05/dodgers-to-sign-chris-stratton.html|access-date=May 25, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He pitched in two games for the Dodgers, allowing two runs in three innings before being designated for assignment on June 2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/06/dodgers-designate-chris-stratton-for-assignment.html|title=Dodgers Designate Chris Stratton For Assignment|date=June 2, 2025|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} Stratton cleared waivers and elected free agency on June 5,{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2025-06-05|title=Transactions|website=MiLB.com}} only to re-sign with the Dodgers on a new major league contract the following day.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/06/dodgers-to-re-sign-chris-stratton.html|title=Dodgers To Re-Sign Chris Stratton, Designate Ryan Loutos For Assignment|date=June 6, 2025|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} He pitched in one inning that day, allowing a solo home run, and then was designated for assignment again on June 7.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/news/tony-gonsolin-placed-on-injured-list-with-right-elbow-injury|title=Gonsolin (right elbow) goes on IL; Kopech, Yates return|work=mlb.com|first=Jeff|last=Jones|date=June 7, 2025|accessdate=June 7, 2025}}